Update on GoSolr

After a dreadful experience with GoSolr (with the installation being done by Fynbos electrical), I was left with an inadequate system for my house. Despite the problems experienced with the installation, the working of the system and the app, I opted for an upgrade because the R30 000 cancellation fee was out of the question. Jason Donnou from GoSolr was a star throughout the whole experience and I asked him if there was any way they could or would compensate me for all the inconvenience caused by the system. Unfortunately, his hands were tied. He did manage, through the management team, to organise the installation minus the admin fee. What was supposed to right all the wrongs of the first experience, turned out to be the exact opposite. The first team that came to install the extra batteries not only drilled holes where none were needed but assured me that the system was up and running as they left. When I checked and realised that I could not switch on any of the geysers, they said that they did not have the necessary fuses to switch it on. After explaining the need to switch on the geysers, I was met with a horrible attitude and they reluctantly left to get the necessary fuses. On their return, I asked if they were able to get the fuses. After ignoring me initially, the boxes with fuses were thrown on the ground to show them to me. The work started again and after the installation, they were struggling to get the batteries going. The explanation given to me was that there was no sunshine on the panels, despite the fact that the sun was still out. I had to point out that the inverter was not even switched on. After turning the switch, the system went on but was still not working. I only realised that the system was not working when I saw that the battery percentage did not go down through the night the following morning.

What would have been a one-day job, continued for a second day. A different team showed up nice and early and ready for work. They were left on site without any means of transport. They also did not have all the tools they needed for the job and, while they were doing the installation, two of the workers had to leave for a 911-call at another site. Other workers showed up, but not to assist the team already at work, but to borrow a drill that they needed at their site. The workers at my house could not lend it to them because they only had one battery for their drill and it was busy charging (so they could not use the drill either). Th workers had to do the setup of the system properly because the team apparently did not set up the batteries and system correctly on the previous day. Eventually, after an extremely stressful day, they finished the job. The second team did a much better job than the first team but, unfortunately, this experience that was supposed to make up for the first couple of months of annoying phone calls, headaches and system breakdowns was a disappointment. I wonder if Andrew Middleton (the CEO of GoSolr) is even aware of any of these problems at his company. A specialist team from GoSolr showed up the next day to come and sort out the problems with the system. Phillip and Thys basically had to check everything that the last two teams did because the system tripped again that morning. It appeared that some of the breakers had not been connected properly and the previous team did not even switch the main over that makes sure that the system runs from the inverter and not municipal power. I have to thank them for their professionalism and the excellent service that they provided. A firmware update was done on the batteries but, after finding that they were still not working, the conclusion was made that the batteries were out of sync because three new batteries were added to the system. The team that showed up to do a second battery assesment had a previous jobcard (for the fuses) that had not been closed. Confusion and an unworkable system are the disappointments that I now have to deal with. What else can go wrong with GoSolr? Well, the improved system is not functioning properly because it does not release the neccasary power from the batteries. GoSolar never did the debicheck for the increased monthly instalment that I have to pay for a system that is not working properly, but that was the fastest phonecall I ever got from GoSolr when they did not receive their monthly payment. I have to conclude that GoSolr simply does not have the expertise or neccacary skill to find, solve and the problem in the system that they sold to me. My experience must be a warning to anyone considering GoSolr as a service provider.